Who Is Shalnark?

Shalnark is a member of the Phantom Troupe and a licensed Hunter in the anime and manga series Hunter × Hunter. Known for his intelligence and tech-savviness, he often acts as the group's information gatherer.

Appearance

Shalnark is a lean, muscular young man and member #6 of the Phantom Troupe. His most notable features include his blond hair, and bright green eyes. His outfits differ depending on the anime adaptation. In the 2011 anime, Shalnark’s hair is blond and styled in a spiky fashion, and he wears a lavender-colored martial arts outfit, while in the 1999 anime, his hair is copper-colored, and his outfit is red. 

The manga features Shalnark with his distinctive blond hair and green eyes. While the illustrations are primarily in black and white, they align with the 2011 anime's character design. Additionally, Shalnark has a special, demon-shaped cellphone that is used to activate his Nen ability. The screen displays the point of view of the person he is controlling. Shalnark also carries two antennae shaped like winged demons. He uses them to control targets by implanting one into them.

Personality

Shalnark's personality is a complex mix of boyish charm, intellectual curiosity, and ruthless indifference, which creates a disturbing contrast with his innocent demeanor. As a member of the Phantom Troupe, he is loyal to his fellow members and driven by a strong, albeit skewed, moral code rooted in his traumatic past in Meteor City.

Shalnark is one of the smartest and most knowledgeable members of the Troupe. He can quickly analyze a situation, calculate battle odds, and gather information, even using his Hunter License to access databases. His intelligence was key to several Troupe missions, including deducing the location of Greed Island.

Despite his cheerful exterior, Shalnark is cold-blooded and detached when it comes to his enemies. He views his controlled victims as nothing more than puppets and feels no remorse for his mass-murdering actions. He dislikes his ultimate ability, "Autopilot," not because it is cruel, but because he loses control and cannot remember the fight, robbing him of any satisfaction.

Shalnark seems to value the Troupe's rare abilities more than his own life, reacting nonchalantly when a prophecy suggests he might die. He prioritizes assets that are difficult for the Troupe to replace.

Background and Death

Shalnark grew up in Meteor City, a junkyard inhabited by social outcasts who don't exist in any official records. The bonds among those who grow up in Meteor City are described as "thinner than water, and yet thicker than blood". As a youth, he befriended fellow future Troupe members, including Chrollo and Franklin. The formative experience of their friend Sarasa's brutal murder deeply desensitized Shalnark and the others to violence, fueling their thirst for revenge.

After Sarasa's funeral, the group chose Chrollo as their leader and formally established the Phantom Troupe three years later. As a founding member and the #6 Spider, Shalnark was known as one of the most intelligent and knowledgeable members, specializing in information gathering. He also earned a Hunter's License, giving the group access to a vast network of information for their criminal activities.

Before Chrollo's death match against Hisoka, Shalnark lent him his Nen ability, leaving himself vulnerable. After Hisoka's apparent death and subsequent revival, Hisoka attacked Shalnark and Kortopi, who were separated from the rest of the troupe. He killed them both in a surprise attack. His death mirrored a prophecy Chrollo wrote for him, which stated he would "be unable to connect when he most needs to make a phone call". His death, along with Kortopi's, served as Hisoka's declaration of war against the Phantom Troupe.

Powers and Abilities

Shalnark is a Manipulator Nen user with the main ability Black Voice, which lets him control others via a special antenna and a cell phone. He can set targets on an "autopilot" for repetitive tasks, which also boosts his physical strength and speed to extreme levels. Shalnark also possesses other skills, including high intellect, enhanced physical attributes like strength, speed, and agility, and preternatural perception.

Strategic and Combat Abilities

• Genius-Level Intellect: Shalnark is highly intelligent, knowledgeable in a wide range of fields, and skilled in informatics. He uses his analytical skills to calculate combat odds and find enemies' weaknesses.

• Enhanced Speed and Agility: He possesses superhuman speed and reflexes, which are greatly amplified when he activates Autopilot mode.

• Skilled Strategist: As a licensed Hunter and information gatherer for the Phantom Troupe, Shalnark is a gifted strategist and tactician.

• Superhuman Strength: Even in his base form, his strength is considerable and increases dramatically in Autopilot mode.

Nen Affinity and Abilities

Nen (念) is a fundamental power system that allows individuals to control their life energy, known as aura. By manipulating their aura, Nen users can create unique supernatural abilities called Hatsu, enhancing their physical capabilities or creating complex, personal powers. 

• Nen Affinity: Shalnark is a Manipulator-type Nen user whose abilities revolve around controlling the actions of others or enhancing his own physical power. Series author, Yoshiro Togashi, also noted that while Shalnark’s affinity is as a Manipulator, he falls midway between the Manipulator and Emitter Nen affinities, making it easier for him to learn Emitter-based Nen abilities than a pure Manipulator, like Illumi Zoldyck.  

• Black Voice: Mobile Fate Director: By sticking a small antenna into a person's body, Shalnark can take full control of their movements by remotely issuing commands through his cell phone. He can only control one target at a time. While controlling his "puppets," he can view their actions from a first-person perspective on his phone's screen.

• Autopilot: On: For a high-risk, high-reward offensive, Shalnark can place an antenna on himself to enter an enhanced, autopilot state. This grants him a massive, exponential boost in aura output, speed, and strength. However, Shalnark loses all control and memory of his actions while in this state. Once activated, Autopilot cannot be stopped until the initial command is completed. After the ability ends, he suffers from intense muscle pain for days due to the extreme physical strain.

Goals and Reputation

Shalnark's core motivation was his devotion to his fellow Troupe members and his hometown, Meteor City. The Phantom Troupe was formed in part to protect Meteor City after the brutal murder of a friend and also to seek vengeance against those who had previously or would in the future bring harm to anyone from Meteor City.

The torture and murder of his childhood friend Sarasa by an unknown assailant deeply impacted the founding members of the Troupe, including Shalnark, and contributed to their ruthless nature. Recently, an easy to miss panel of the manga showed a TV report on the death of the man thought to be responsible for Sarasa’s death, implying that the Phantom Troupe succeeded in their initial goal of revenge. 

To the outside world and the victims of the Phantom Troupe, Shalnark was a feared mind manipulator due to his Nen ability, "Black Voice". He had complete control over anyone he stuck with his antenna, turning his opponents into his puppets.

As a highly intelligent and resourceful member, Shalnark used his abilities and status as a licensed Hunter to assist the Troupe's missions and schemes. His sudden and brutal death at the hands of Hisoka was a major blow to the Troupe, particularly to Chrollo, who borrowed his ability for his fight. His skills were considered difficult to replace.